Abu Dhabi GP qualifying: pole for Norris, disappointment for Leclerc and Hamilton

Norris on pole, Leclerc and Hamilton off in last qualifying of the year

Twists and turns in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will close the Formula 1 season tomorrow, 8 December. Lando Norris will start from pole position, thanks to an exceptional lap of 1:22.5, flanked by team-mate Oscar Piastri. On the second row, the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, third, and Nico Hulkenberg, author of an astonishing performance. Max Verstappen, winner of the drivers’ championship, will only start from fifth position.

Disappointment for Charles Leclerc, who had his time cancelled in Q2 for exceeding the track limits. To make matters worse, Leclerc will have to serve a ten-position penalty for changing the battery, thus starting last in tomorrow’s race. Despite this, the Monegasque driver did not give up, telling Sky Sports: ‘I made a mistake, but I won’t give up. Tomorrow I will give everything to recover.

Lewis Hamilton, in his last race with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari, also experienced a bitter elimination, being excluded already in Q1.

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